Senegal reports two chikungunya cases
The Senegal Ministry of Health has reported the confirmation of two chikungunya cases in the Birkilane district, Kafferine region. The cases were reported in males older than 15 years of age.
The Institut Pasteur in Dakar confirmed the cases by PCR.
Last year, Senegal reported 25 confirmed chikungunya cases and no deaths from 11 of the 15 regions in the country.
Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans through by mosquitoes infected with the chikungunya virus. The mosquitoes involved in transmission are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
The most common symptom is an abrupt onset of fever, often accompanied by joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Severe joint pain usually lasts a few days but can persist for months or even years. Serious complications are uncommon, but atypical severe cases can cause long-term symptoms and even death, especially in older people and in children under one year old.